Edin Dzeko scored the only goal of the game to put the blue half of Manchester three points clear of their title rivals, but in the dying moments of the game Maynor Figueroa handled the ball when acting as the last man, but referee Martin Atkinson didn't believe the action deserved a sending off.

After seeing the handball, Mancini made the gesture, much like Rooney had when Vincent Kompany got sent-off for a two-footed lunge on Nani in their recent FA Cup meeting.

Rooney questioned on Twitter during the game: "Was Mancini (sic) asking for a red card????" Mancini backed himself up following the final whistle, insisting the action is acceptable for an incident such as the defender's hand-ball.

"I did it because Wayne Rooney did it," Mancini told reporters after the game. "It's normal with a chance like that to do it. "I am on the bench. When you are near to the referee you can have more of an influence.

"I am on the bench and the referee cannot see me. I used to do this (as a player), but I don't want to say anything about that situation."